Foundation in the Basic Law - Meier: Protection of the Federal Constitutional Court "good news
Agreement of the Traffic Light Coalition parties and the Union for the Protection of the Federal Constitutional Court in the Basic Law evaluated Saxony's Justice Minister Katja Meier (Greens) as a very good news. "With this, Democrats and Democrats not only strengthen the protection of the Federal Constitutional Court against the enemies of our democratic constitutional state, but they also send an important cross-party signal of solidarity", said Meier according to a press release.
Due to the now proposed changes to the Basic Law, citizens could continue to trust in a strong, independent and functional Federal Constitutional Court, emphasized the Minister.
Protection of the Federal Constitutional Court in "stormy times"
Following confidential consultations, the Bundestag factions of SPD, Greens, FDP and CDU/CSU have agreed to anchor the number of judges and senates, as well as central provisions regarding the structure of the Federal Constitutional Court in the Basic Law. They want to secure the independence and functionality of the Court also in stormy times, according to their own statements.
Indeed, changes that carry the risk of a blockade or political instrumentalization could theoretically be made with a simple majority. However, for a change or addition to the wording of the Basic Law, a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag and the Bundesrat is required. The Court has 16 judges and 2 senates.
Katja Meier, the Green Party's Justice Minister in Saxony, was praised by the Traffic Light Coalition parties and the Union for the Protection of the Federal Constitutional Court for her role in strengthening the Court's protection in the Basic Law. Meier's actions were seen as a significant boost for the democratic constitutional state and a show of cross-party solidarity.
The proposed changes to the Basic Law aim to anchor the number of judges and senates, as well as central provisions related to the structure of the Federal Constitutional Court, ensuring its independence and functionality even in challenging times.
This agreement follows confidential consultations between the SPD, Greens, FDP, and CDU/CSU factions in the Federal Parliament, with the ultimate goal of preventing blockades or political instrumentalization of the Court.
If changes with the potential for a blockade or political manipulation were to be made, they would require a two-thirds majority in both the Bundestag and the Bundesrat, according to the Constitution (Law). The Federal Constitutional Court currently has 16 judges and 2 senates, and these changes aim to safeguard their independence and effectiveness in Dresden and beyond.
